I've used many inexpensive and expensive 22 long rifles. On the inexpensive end my favorite is the Marlin 880 which I paid $194 for in 1998. It's no longer made but we bought the version that seems the same, except this one has tap holes and does not have a checkered stock, for $160 at Bass Pro Shops this weekend. It's the Marlin 925. I have not shot it yet but the Marlin 880 with Eley Target Ammo in it shoots a group the size of a quarter. Federal ammo, forget which type, works OK too but the group is a bit larger. I've used the Ruger 10-22 and in the low end configuration do not like it. The stock is too small and feels like a toy to me. I have used the high end, as in $1600, tricked out 10-22s and they are very nice but don't own one - too expensive for me. My experience is that the ammo is way more important than the rifle so stay away from Thunderbolt and most of the Remington rounds at least with the Marlin 880. I have scopes on both of them but used to shoot well with the iron sights when I was younger. There is a low end, like $40, Simmons scope on the Marlin 880 and an older Tasco (made in Japan - shows the age) on the Marlin 925 that someone gave me for fixing their computer - didn't ask for anything but it's nice and I can't wait to try it. I've heard the rifle made in Brazil is pretty good but don't remember the brand name. I've held one that was listed in the $300s and it was very nicely made.

Two angles to consider. On one side, you can get more accessories for a 10/22 than you'll ever need. On the other hand, something like a Marlin Model 60 or one of the 7 series will out shoot it and probably come cheaper, but you're stuck with the gun as-is because you can't even find so much as an extended mag most of the time.

This is true. The 10/22 has so many accessories nobody has a clue how many are available - one catalog alone can contain hundreds.

UPDATE - The Marlin 925 shoots as well as the Marlin 880. I also use the Model 60 mentioned and in my opinion it is a better quality 22LR semi-auto than the Ruger 10-22 though both feel short for me - they're both carbine style which are short by design. One thing I liked MUCH better about the Model 60 is when the magazine, in this case it was a tube, empties the bolt stays open. When it empties on the 10-22 the bolt is closed.

Two angles to consider. On one side, you can get more accessories for a 10/22 than you'll ever need. On the other hand, something like a Marlin Model 60 or one of the 7 series will out shoot it and probably come cheaper, but you're stuck with the gun as-is because you can't even find so much as an extended mag most of the time.

I was gonna say check out the tubefed ones that shoot .22mag .22lr and .22 shorts, i'm not sure of the price or who makes it (it's been a while since i looked for a new .22) Because .22mag ammo can get expensive if you like to shoot alot. but i don't know if there are aftermarket parts for it either

Getting in on this a bit late, but have been shooting 22 rifles for a long time.. as in over 50 years. Had a couple of 10/22's but got rid of them. Rotary magazine was okay, but rifles weren't that accurate, and they were too small for me.

I do have and shoot a Winchester 62A pump gun, and it's Rossi knock off. Both with tubular magazines. Then there are the Remington's...a 597 semi-auto, a 550-1 semi-auto (tubular mag), a Nylon 66, and my latest acquisition, a 582 bolt action, also tubular magazine. Then there is the little Marlin 783T in 22 Mag, with tubular magazine.

For accuracy, the Remington 582 and the Marlin are so close that it's hard for me to say which one is most accurate. The 597 autoloader is a close second.

But I do love to shoot all of them, and they have provided me with many hours of fun and relaxation as well as some sumptious table fare.

Well we have herd all about the virtues of the simi-auto clan, and what
they prefer, don't take it wrong there are alot of them out there,and they are
all good! how about the bolt preference, I just got a cz 452 lux and I haven't shot it yet I have shot a friends and 1 inch groups at 100 yds told him I WANT
one! stopped that day and orderd it, should be in sometime this week

Hey, da357mag, I want to know how you like the CZ452 Lux when you get out and shoot it. I've been wanting one for a long time. Tried to order one through CZ (get a discount), but haven't been able to get to a real person to order one up. That is top on my list for my next .22 at the moment.

I'm with TTLongrifle. Thunderbolt has to be about the nastiest .22lr ammo out there. Wouldn't put that in my rifles if you paid me. Get a good rifle and don't shoot anything unjacketed through it. All of my rifles seem to do just fine with Federal ammo, so it's usually my ammo of choice.

The Browning model 241, aka ATD, .22 semi is the finest shooting little .22 to come down the pike in the last 100 years. It came out first as the Remington 24 when Browning let them use the patent for 40 years or so. Browning started making them in the early 50s or so in Belgium, and then moved the manufacturing to Nikoru in Japan in the mid '60s or so. Accurate, and as far as mine have been, fail-safe. And you don't spend hundreds of dollars converting triggers, barrels, etc., etc. to get them to shoot like they should to begin with.
Remington 24

How come no one mentioned the Henry rifles? Took a while to read each post in hopes to hear about the Henry rifles as I really want a fun lever-action 22 for my first plinker. Anyone ever shoot one or better own one???

I have an old Marlin Mountie Gold trigger. Why they put Gold Triggers on these rifles I don't know. All that aside the old 39A has covered many miles of high mountians and hot deserts. The old girl after 50 years of abuse is still 100% dependable.